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Our Latest Articles


Lighting a Patio or Terrace Garden
Many gardens centre around a patio or terrace. It is often the space where people gather, dine outdoors, or simply sit with a glass of wine on a warm evening. Yet when darkness arrives these spaces frequently become unusable unless harsh security lighting is switched on. Thoughtful patio lighting avoids glare and instead builds atmosphere around the seating area. The aim is not brightness but comfort — a space that feels welcoming and relaxed well into the evening. Features o
Gary Lester
3 hours ago1 min read


Five Garden Features That Look Extraordinary When Lit at Night
Some garden features take on an entirely different character once the sun goes down. During the day they form part of the landscape, but at night they can become the visual centrepiece of the garden. Thoughtful lighting allows these features to be revealed in ways that are both dramatic and elegant. Among the most rewarding elements to illuminate are: • Mature trees with interesting branch structure • Sculptural planting or ornamental grasses • Garden steps and pathways • Wat
Gary Lester
7 days ago1 min read


Gary’s obsession with notable light fittings – No. 12
There are moments in London when you look up and realise that lighting is doing something quietly magical. Standing by the Thames one evening, the moon pushing through a ragged patch of cloud, there it was — Tower Bridge glowing calmly against the skyline. Not flashy, not overdone, just beautifully balanced illumination doing exactly what great lighting should. Naturally I stood there far longer than any normal person would. Tower Bridge has always been a bit of a masterpiece
Gary Lester
Mar 92 min read


Preparing Your Garden for Spring Evenings
As winter begins to loosen its grip and the evenings slowly stretch, many gardens begin to come back to life. The first warm evening of the year often reminds homeowners just how much potential their outdoor space holds once darkness falls. Thoughtfully designed garden lighting allows you to enjoy those early spring evenings far sooner. Rather than waiting for the long summer days, carefully positioned lighting reveals the structure of the garden, highlights planting, and cre
Gary Lester
Mar 91 min read


Lighting the Cupola at Easthampstead Park
After dark, the cupola at Easthampstead Park becomes a defining feature of the hotel’s skyline. Our lighting design brings this historic structure to life using a carefully balanced mix of in-ground up-lighters, discreet roof mounted spotlights and concealed strip lighting, all unified in a matching warm-white tone. Soft uplighting gently lifts the cupola from below, while precision roof spots pick out the vintage weather vane, allowing it to sit crisply against the night sky
Gary Lester
Feb 21 min read


Phase 2 Begins: Lighting the Grand Terraces at Easthampstead Park
Phase 2 of the Easthampstead Park lighting scheme is now underway, focusing on the pond garden and the hotel’s magnificent terraced landscape. With scale, symmetry and atmosphere firmly in mind, this phase is about shaping evening drama while preserving the estate’s calm, historic character. Today marks the start of Phase 2 of our lighting works at Easthampstead Park Hotel, turning our attention to one of the estate’s most impressive outdoor spaces: the pond garden and a swee
Gary Lester
Jan 202 min read


Let There Be Light: Installation Begins at Easthampstead Park
Installation has begun at Easthampstead Park Hotel. We’re delivering a carefully phased exterior lighting scheme that enhances arrival.
Gary Lester
Jan 112 min read


The Lantern at Number 157 — A Simple Bit of Festive Magic
Gary’s obsession with notable light fittings – No. 11 Walking up to my brother Glenn’s house in Buxton, I stopped dead outside Number 157. A single Victorian lantern glowing amber above a small tree wrapped in modest multicolour lights — nothing showy, yet completely charming. It felt like winter had paused for a moment just to admire it. A perfect, accidental festive picture. Glenn’s front garden at Number 157 has always had this understated charm to it, but this time it cau
Gary Lester
Nov 26, 20252 min read


A Beacon of Parliament’s Past
Gary’s obsession with notable light fittings – No. 7
Gary Lester
Nov 14, 20251 min read


Create a Magical Atmosphere with Garden Lighting for the Festive Season
As we head into November, thoughts turn to festive gatherings, Christmas parties, and welcoming guests into our homes. For London and South East homeowners, outdoor lighting isn’t just about safety at this time of year — it’s about creating atmosphere. The right scheme can make your garden sparkle with warmth, turning winter nights into something special. Why Festive Lighting Matters With evenings setting in early, your outdoor space becomes the first impression for friends a
Gary Lester
Nov 11, 20252 min read


Proud to Be Recognised by the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers
Gary’s obsession with notable light fittings – Special Edition
Gary Lester
Nov 8, 20251 min read


After the Fireworks: How to Keep Your Garden Glowing All Winter
The fireworks are over, but the show doesn’t have to end.
As the nights close in and the last rocket fades into the lawn, a little lighting
Gary Lester
Nov 8, 20252 min read


Collecting Character: Statement Fittings that Tell a Story
Gary’s obsession with collecting great lighting
Gary Lester
Nov 1, 20251 min read


A Grander Entrance You’ll Never Find
Beneath the vaulted stone of Westminster Hall, I found light telling two stories at once — the proud iron lamps of the Victorians and New Da
Gary Lester
Oct 31, 20252 min read


A Softer Welcome – The Bath Doorway That Glows
Gary’s obsession with notable light fittings
Gary Lester
Oct 31, 20251 min read


Gothic Glow: How to Cast Spellbinding Light on Your Garden This Halloween
With Halloween upon us, transform your garden into a scene of Gothic elegance and mystery. Clever lighting can shift with the seasons, from festive summer BBQs to sparkling Christmas nights, and right now, a hauntingly beautiful Halloween glow. Discover how subtle changes can reshape your outdoor atmosphere year-round. A Garden Transformed by Light and Shadow Gothic architecture has always embraced contrast, light piercing darkness, form against foliage. In the garden, you ca
Gary Lester
Oct 30, 20252 min read


Lighting the Streetscape: How Light Shapes the Character of a City
Brighton Seafront, October 2025 – captured by Gary Lester. Even in daylight, the rhythm of light and shadow tells the story of place. The Way Light Defines Place Brighton’s promenade glows even before the lamps switch on. The sweep of its railings, the play of shadow, the glint of sun on ironwork — it already tells a story. But at dusk, light takes over as the city’s narrator. Columns, bollards and lanterns transform the familiar into the cinematic. Lighting doesn’t just make
Gary Lester
Oct 25, 20252 min read


Light Up for Halloween – Creating a Spooky but Stylish Garden Glow
🎃 A Tasteful Halloween Glow: How to Light Your Garden the Elegant Way As the clocks go back and autumn nights draw in, Halloween becomes the perfect reason to let your garden glow. Forget flashing skeletons — this is Halloween, Garden Lighting Solutions style: warm amber tones, soft path lights, and subtle uplighting that transform your garden into an inviting autumn stage. Slight adjustments to your Eagle & Spear lighting system allow for easy seasonal changes — and Hallowe
Gary Lester
Oct 18, 20252 min read


Top 10 Garden Lighting Hacks for Beautiful, Effortless Outdoor Spaces
Ten clever ways to make your garden shine brighter, smarter, and more sustainably. Transform your garden into an inviting, energy-efficient haven with our top ten lighting hacks. From smart controls to subtle uplighting, discover practical design tricks that London and South East homeowners love. Each idea blends beauty with practicality — perfect for enhancing mood, security, and property value. 1. Layer Your Lighting Don’t rely on one light source. Combine uplights, path li
Gary Lester
Oct 13, 20252 min read


Ten Garden Lighting Must-Haves
An interview with Gary Lester of Garden Lighting Solutions by Eagle & Spear 1. Pathway Lights “Paths are the veins of a garden,” Gary says. “If people can’t see where they’re going, they won’t use the space. Gentle bollards or low-level stakes light the way without glare, and customers always tell me it makes their garden feel instantly more welcoming.” 2. Uplighters for Trees “A mature tree at night is a sculpture in itself,” Gary notes. By aiming light up into the canopy, b
Gary Lester
Oct 11, 20252 min read
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